Evan Morris, a former lobbyist for the pharmaceutical company Genentech, committed suicide in July 2015 at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Gainesville, Virginia. Morris, who shot himself after leaving a "Do Not Resuscitate" note, had previously been implicated in an elaborate kickback scheme. This scheme enabled him to amass significant wealth, allowing for lavish purchases and memberships to elite golf clubs. His suicide and the underlying scandal are detailed in the book "The Wolves of K Street" by journalists Brody and Luke Mullins, which has recently been published.
Morris started his career in Washington D.C. as an intern at the Clinton White House and later attended George Washington University for law school. He initially worked at the law firm Patton Boggs, where he became connected with Roche, the pharmaceutical company then embroiled in controversies over its acne medication, Accutane. Morris seized the opportunity to become Roche's in-house lobbyist and later played a key role in merging Roche's lobbying efforts with those of Genentech.
Throughout his career, Morris was known for his aggressive lobbying tactics and political leveraging, including his use of political donations and connections to secure powerful positions within Washington D.C. Morris also formed a nefarious partnership with Republican media consultant Jim Courtovich, which involved reciprocal financial dealings that were ostensibly for media consulting but were part of a kickback arrangement.
Morris's fraudulent activities were eventually investigated by Genentech and federal authorities, leading to a crucial meeting with Genentech's lawyers on July 9, 2015. After feeling pressured during the meeting, Morris left and subsequently committed suicide.
The discovery of Morris's body near the firepit at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club marked a dramatic and public end to his complicated and secretive life involving political maneuvering, financial fraud, and personal deceit.